Childminder in South Gloucestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY303367 Inspection date 10 October 2005 Inspector Sue Hill

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2005. She lives with her partner and 1 child aged 18 months in Yate, South Gloucestershire. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a cat. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children and is currently minding one child under five part-time during the day. She attends the local parent and toddler group. The childminder belongs to the National Childminding Association.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they are encouraged to learn about personal hygiene and personal care, and are protected from infection through the childminder's clear sickness policy. The management of pets and regular cleaning routines ensures that children play in a hygienic environment which minimises risk of infection. Children learn about good hygiene practices through well-planned daily routines. Good procedures such as using individual flannels and towels for children sustain high levels of hygiene and prevent the spread of infection. Children's health is actively promoted. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. She appropriately manages accidents and the administration of medication, and shares the records with parents. However, she lacks permission from parents to seek emergency medical aid. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Physical play opportunities are available outdoors to help them develop control of their bodies, for example through use of the good range of equipment in the childminder's garden. There are regular visits to the park and playgrounds to further develop their physical skills, which are extended as the childminder has a good awareness of the children's different ages and capabilities. Children are developing an understanding of healthy eating through encouragement from the childminder. Drinks are easily available throughout the day, and the childminder follows parent’s wishes for the types of food given to their child. The childminder is happy to discuss diet with parents, particularly where this will improve the child's diet and introduce new foods or textures, for example through giving harder foods to encourage chewing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment where children are relaxed and safe. The ground floor is organised to meet children's needs with furniture placed to the side of the rooms to provide a large play space. Many of the clean and safe resources are kept in this area in cupboards, tubs and on low level shelving and children are able to help themselves. There is space for imaginary play with a mini kitchen, and a variety of dressing-up resources. Children are safe as they move around freely in a spacious, well maintained home where risks have been identified and minimised. Children can independently access activities from a good range of safe and interesting toys and equipment. Their interest is sustained by regularly providing new resources which take into consideration each child's stage of development and how this can be extended

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 further. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children’s choice of toys, both indoors and in the garden, to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of potential hazards outside the home and puts appropriate measures in place so that children are safe, for example, teaching children to cross the road. As the childminder has addressed potential hazards in the home, children's freedom is maximised. Their risk of accidental injury is minimised through the childminder's use of effective safety measures. She helps children understand why safety is important both in and out of the home. For instance, tidying up toys to prevent tripping. The childminder has all the required documents in place to ensure that the children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted, for example her good understanding of the contents of the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled and make good progress as the childminder is friendly and welcoming. She understands how to help children learn through practical activities. This enables them to practise and develop their skills. Children have fun and enjoy being at the childminder’s house. They are happily and actively occupied. Children have a clear structure to their day which includes regular opportunities for walks, outings to local resources and social contacts at toddler groups. The childminder promotes their language development well through her constant interaction and conversation with the children. They confidently use their language skills and gestures to communicate thoughts, feelings and needs to each other and the childminder. They relate appropriately to each other and are starting to socialise with other children, regularly attending the local toddler group. Children make sound and steady progress. The childminder is aware of each child’s

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

individual stage of development. She gives them the time and opportunity to do things for themselves and offers encouragement so that they become more independent, for example allowing time to explore shapes and textures in the treasure box. They enjoy the sensory feel of sand, water, paint and play dough. The Birth to Three Matters framework is used to promote younger children's learning. Their progress is recorded in a daily diary, which is shared with parents at the end of each session.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a good range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world, enabling children to learn positively about differences. She has dolls, books, puzzles and games depicting positive images of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 difference. These are readily available to the children, and are used regularly to support children in learning respect for individuality. Awareness of their own environment is developed through local visits, for example, to the park and use of her own garden. Each child is special as their individual needs are met. This is achieved through discussion with parents and the childminder's good understanding of each child's stage of development and how to encourage this. Children show care and concern for each other and play together harmoniously. They behave very well, encouraged by the childminder's use of positive praise. She anticipates potential conflict and skilfully diverts children's attention, for example, when two children want to play with the same toy. To date the childminder has no experience of caring for a child with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

special needs. However, should she be asked to provide care for a child with special needs she would ensure their needs were met through detailed discussion with parents. Care and activities would be adjusted accordingly. Parents are welcomed into the home and at the end of the day there is a two-way discussion so that both parties are fully aware of what is happening in the child's life. Children are secure and their individual needs are met as there is a close partnership between childminder and parents. The childminders' prospectus provides information about her services, enabling parents to be clear about what is available for their children. She works closely with parents following routines and shares important information with them in a daily diary and through discussion about children's needs and interests.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The children feel at home and at ease as the childminder organises her time to give the children individual attention. She provides an inviting environment so that children move around without being inhibited and confidently help themselves to toys they wish to play with. Activities and toys are well presented encouraging children to explore and initiate play. The childminder attends relevant training courses regularly, using the knowledge gained to support the children's learning, for example Birth to Three Matters framework, Information Sharing and Assessment and Creative Movement Workshop. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. Documents are shared with parents to keep them well informed about the service, their child's activities and so that children receive continuity of

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by the parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure children are cared for according to parents’ wishes by obtaining written parental permission to seek emergency medical aid for all minded children

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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